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King of Queens 2018: The Queens are WILD

May 9, 2018

King of Queens 2018: The Queens are WILD was a huge success, breaking fundraising expectations yet again. Check out the amazing photos from the Providence Journal's Glenn Osmundson. Click HERE to see the photo essay.

AIDS care Ocean State help people deal with the physical and
emotional issues around HIV, issues that are frequently magnified by poverty.
While everyone can agree that medicine can help keep HIV in check, it might be
surprising to know that hopelessness, uncertainty and feelings of isolation can
be a barrier to living a healthy life for an HIV Positive person.

That’s why Livia Harkow started the Women’s Community Garden
Project at our Tanner Street location in 2018. In fact, during a therapy group,
a client asked if we could start a garden. Livia, a graduate of URI’s Master
Gardener program, knew it was a good idea to engage clients. There is a lot of
evidence to suggest that horticulture therapy can really improve the spirits of
HIV positive, low income people.

How? It’s an excellent way to talk about nutrition and
self-care, and creates a feeling of community and purpose; all of which
generates positive emotions, self-esteem and a meaningful appreciation of life.
It nurtures the idea that a woman’s body is her own, a feeling that may be new
to our clients. In practical terms, it leads to people more actively interested
in taking their medicine and going to group therapy. Plus, they are eating
healthier, learning life skills, and being a part of something larger.

Thanks to the partnership of some generous donors, including
the South Side Community Land Trust and Earth Appliance, our clients have
planted a garden of to be proud of. These dedicated women in our group therapy
take pride in the beautiful and blooming organic garden they created, where
herbs, tomatoes, lettuce and squash thrive in the sunlight.

Inclusion is a big part of the program. Garden beds were
created to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, so that
people with physical limitations could also participate. An ACOS youth group
has been invited to participate and Livia would like to expand the program to
other ACOS Housing, such as New Transitions, Sunrise House and Austin Place.

Now, the program practically takes care of itself. The
Community Gardening Project for Women continues to meet twice weekly using horticultural
therapy principles. This wonderful program helps our clients combat isolation
and give a sense of community to all who participate.